Zika virus and host protein interactions for understanding molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis and therapeutic development

Zika virus (ZIKV) causes severe neurological disease, including microcephaly and Guillain-Barré syndrome, through complex interactions with host cell proteins. This review synthesizes the 2015-2025 published literature on ZIKV-host protein interactions and their therapeutic targeting. ZIKV enters cells via multiple receptor pathways: adhesion receptors (DC-SIGN, Hsp70), high-affinity entry receptors (ITGB4, GRP78, NCAM1), internalization receptors (integrin αvβ5, sialic acid), and endosomal receptors (AXL, TIM-1, CD300a). Viral structural proteins direct virion assembly, while nonstructural proteins NS1-NS5 suppress immune responses, remodel cellular membranes, and dysregulate gene expression. NS5 uniquely suppresses neurodevelopmental genes and disrupts ciliary function through nuclear localization, directly driving microcephaly pathogenesis. Therapeutic strategies include receptor antagonists, protease inhibitors, and polymerase inhibitors. However, receptor redundancy, viral protein multifunctionality, and pregnancy safety constraints limit clinical translation. This review identifies ZIKV-host protein interactions as therapeutic targets and highlights barriers to drug development.